Float First: An Index of Floating: Factors Affecting Floating in Different Populations

Lung Function Clinical Trial

Official title:

"Float First": Categorising Factors Effecting Floating in Different Populations During Water Immersion.

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Not yet recruiting

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT03982056
• Other study ID #: TBA
• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Start date: July 1, 2019
• Est. completion date: December 30, 2020

Study information

• Verified date: June 2019
• Source: University of Portsmouth
• Contact: Heather Massey, PhD
• Phone: 07891432744
• Email: heather.massey[@]port.ac.uk
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Observational

Clinical Trial Summary

The study involves measurements of body composition using a DEXA scanner, lung function, buoyancy and floating technique. An understanding of the effects of physiological and anthropometric measures on an individual's ability to float may lead to the creation of a 'Floatability Score' to aid current public information. With this floatability score a set of actions that people of certain body types should adopt in water will be created, to tailor the current public safety messaging in an attempt to ensure more people are aware of how they can float in water

Description:

Between 2000 and 2013 an average of 425 people in the UK drowned per annum, and a reported 100,000 people were involved in water-related emergencies involving search and rescue services. Approximately half had not intended to go into the water. Research identifies that in the first 1-3 minutes of immersion, during the "cold shock response" (CSR), there may be an increased probability of drowning fatalities. As a result of this, a theme of 'Float First' was created whereby individuals are advised to float for 1-3 minutes following immersion (by undertaking the minimum amount of activity possible to maximise the amount of air trapped in clothing layers and hence creating additional buoyancy) until the effects of the CSR have declined. However, a number of people have come forward indicating that despite the advice given, they are unable to float. This study is designed to establish the minimum activity level a person needs to stay afloat and combine this with anthropomorphic and physiological measures to develop advice for people of different shapes, sizes and body compositions.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Enrollment: 178
• Est. completion date: December 30, 2020
• Est. primary completion date: June 30, 2020
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: All
• Age group: 18 Years and older

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• All participants who feel confident in water which they can stand up in, aged 18 years and older (18-29 years for Phase 1).

• The participant is willing and able to give informed consent for participation in the study.

• Be able to climb up and down a set of steps to access the swimming flume

Exclusion Criteria:

• Have allergies to water or chlorinated water.

• The participant is pregnant or suspects they may be pregnant.

• Not able to climb up and down a set of steps to access the swimming flume

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Anthropometry
• Floating Technique
• Lung Function

Intervention

Other:
• this is an observational study there are no interventions
development of an index to provide appropriate information on a person's ability to float, based on Physiological and anthropometric characteristics

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United Kingdom	Heather Massey	Portsmouth	Hampshire

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
University of Portsmouth

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United Kingdom, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Floating index	Describes the actions required to stay afloat	2 minutes
Secondary	Standing Height	Height of participant	with the two week study window
Secondary	Mass	Mass of participant	with the two week study window - performed at the same time of day as the floating and DEXA scan measurements
Secondary	Body composition	a break down of the main components of the body (fat, lean tissue)	with the two week study window - performed at the same time of day as the floating and DEXA scan measurements
Secondary	Lung function	the volumes of the lungs namely, FVC, Tidal breathing, ERV and IRV	with the two week study window - performed at the same time of day as the floating and DEXA scan measurements
Secondary	Buoyancy	the buoyancy of the person floating in the water	with the two week study window - performed at the same time of day as the floating and DEXA scan measurements
Secondary	Floating technique	The technique required to float	2 minutes